Though there have been multiple
proposals to bridge the Long Island Sound at various locations, none have ever come to fruition. Therefore, Long Island motorists located east of the
Throgs Neck Bridge heading toward Connecticut must first drive west into
Queens, cross one of the three city bridges to
the Bronx, and then drive east to reach
New England destinations. This circuitous route could, at the extreme, add as many as to a trip between Long Island and New London, points north, or points east. In addition to the saving in mileage, use of Cross Sound avoids heavy urban traffic in New York City and on
Interstate 95 in Connecticut. The ferry serves over one million passengers annually, about half of whom live on Long Island. Cross Sound Ferry previously attempted to establish service between New London and
East Hampton, on the
South Fork of Long Island. A local ordinance passed by the Town of East Hampton in 1997 prohibits vehicle ferry service within the Town's borders and places limits on the speeds of both passenger vessels and road vehicles. Cross Sound Ferry filed a lawsuit against the town in 2004 to overturn the ruling, which was eventually dismissed. Cross Sound Ferry operates year-round with up to 32 daily departures with the lone exception of no service on December 25, Christmas Day.
Sister companies The Block Island Express, a seasonal high-speed passenger ferry service, operates out of the same New London ferry terminal and services
Block Island (
New Shoreham,
Rhode Island). The Thames Shipyard and Repair Company services both Cross Sound Ferry and Block Island Express vessels. All three organizations share the 2 Ferry Street office at the New London terminal. The Block Island Express runs through the summer season from June to early September. The three companies, as well as the Thames Towboat Company, are owned by John P. Wronowski and son, Adam Wronowski. ==Fleet==